Tacoma Burn Injury Attorneys

Severe burn injuries leave lasting damage that can alter every part of daily life. In Tacoma, burns happen in apartment buildings with faulty wiring and on job sites where safety rules aren’t followed. They can also occur inside industrial facilities that use or store hazardous, highly flammable materials. Burn victims with severe injuries can take weeks or even months to recover, all while medical bills stack up and returning to work remains uncertain.

Freeman Law Firm, Inc. represents clients across Pierce County who suffer serious burns because safety standards were ignored. Our attorneys deal with insurance companies directly so that our clients can focus on recovery. When an insurer drags out or refuses payment, Freeman Law Firm takes the case to court to recover full compensation under Washington law. Call (253) 383-4500 for a free consultation.

Do I Have a Case?

Whether you have a case and who pays for your losses depends on multiple factors, such as where your burn happened, who was responsible for preventing it, the injury it directly caused and the losses you experienced. In your free consultation with our team, you’ll find out if you have a case and can move to the next steps.

Negligence in Washington Burn Injury Cases

Cases revolve around negligence and fault. A person or business is negligent and may be held liable if they owed a duty of reasonable care, failed to meet that duty, and the failure caused injury with measurable loss.

The Four Elements of Negligence in Washington:

Duty: Washington law requires people and businesses to take precautions that a reasonably careful person would take in the same situation to prevent harm to others. In burn injury cases, the duty is rooted in fire codes and workplace safety regulations, as well as industry standards for handling heat or flammable chemicals.
Breach: A person or business breaches their duty when they do not follow safety rules or ignore known hazards. Freeman Law Firm, Inc. analyzes maintenance logs and inspection reports, and gather testimony from witnesses to figure out where required precautions broke down.
Causation: Under Washington law, causation has two parts. The first is cause in fact, which means the injury would not have happened without the defendant’s conduct. The second is legal cause, which means that a person or company can only be held responsible for injuries that naturally flow from their conduct and occur in a direct, unbroken sequence.
Damages: Damages refer to the measurable impact of the injury. Medical expenses, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, and physical pain are all considered damages.

Freeman Law Firm, Inc. establishes each element with detailed records and expert analysis that link the responsible party’s actions to the client’s injuries and losses.

Work-Related vs Non-Work-Related Burn Cases

Burns at Work

If you suffer a burn while at work, Washington’s Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) covers your hospital care and pays a portion of your lost wages. L&I benefits do not account for the long-term cost of surgeries and rehabilitation, or things like permanent scarring, so they typically end before you have made a full recovery.

When another company, like a subcontractor or equipment manufacturer, causes your burn, you can file a separate third-party claim for negligence while your L&I claim continues. A third-party claim targets the company that caused the hazard directly and allows you to seek full compensation beyond what L&I provides, including future medical care and the long-term effect on your earning capacity. Our attorneys at Freeman Law Firm, Inc. manage both claims at the same time so that your treatment stays funded while we gather the evidence needed for your third-party claim.

Burns Outside the Workplace

Burn injuries sustained in rental housing or public spaces are not governed by Washington’s Department of Labor and Industries (L&I). Instead, responsibility turns on who was in control of the hazard that caused the burn. A landlord who ignores electrical hazards and a manufacturer that doesn't properly maintain its equipment can both be held responsible when their negligence causes a fire.

At Freeman Law Firm, Inc. we analyze inspection records and eyewitness statements to determine who caused the fire, or who ignored safety warnings or failed to take precautions that could have prevented it. Our Tacoma personal injury attorneys act immediately after a fire to preserve evidence and hold insurers accountable for the cost of your recovery.

Insurance, Evidence, and How the Case Is Built

Insurance Coverage

When someone suffers a burn injury, multiple insurance companies enter the picture, and each tries to transfer blame to the others. Coverage varies by setting, and a property owner may hold one policy while a contractor or a manufacturer adds another. Disputes between carriers delay payments for hospital bills and lost income, which creates financial pressure while recovery is still in progress.

Freeman Law Firm, Inc. manages insurance disputes from the start. Our attorneys make direct contact with every carrier tied to the case and demand clear written answers about coverage. If an insurer drags its feet or cuts payment short, the firm demands what the policy owes and keeps the case moving until it’s paid.

Evidence Development

Evidence from a burn scene may not be available long. Water used to control the fire alters debris and surfaces. Cleanup crews remove damaged materials before investigators can reach them, and repair contractors make changes that hide the source of ignition. Freeman Law Firm, Inc. moves quickly to document the scene before cleanup or repairs erase the proof of how the burn started.

Investigators photograph the area and record measurements that reveal how the event unfolded. They note the depth of burn patterns, electrical load readings, gas line pressure levels, and distances between the ignition point and nearby equipment. Reports from Tacoma Fire and local safety officials confirm when responders arrived and what their first impressions were. Attorneys at Freeman Law Firm compare those findings with maintenance or inspection records to identify who was responsible for the hazard.

Building the Case

Freeman Law Firm, Inc. builds burn injury cases by turning raw evidence into a clear explanation of what happened and who is responsible. Attorneys review inspection reports and witness statements to establish the sequence of events. Experts then determine whether the ignition began with one source or multiple overlapping sources. After confirming how the burn started, the firm identifies who controlled the area or equipment involved and documents how those actions led to the injury and resulting financial losses.

What Compensation May Cover

A burn injury creates ongoing costs that begin with emergency care and continue through follow-up treatment. Compensation for a burn injury can cover:

Medical care already provided: Itemized billing records identify what has been paid and what remains due for hospital care and surgical treatment.
Future medical treatment: Written evaluations from physicians specify additional procedures or therapy that will be needed.
Lost income: Employer statements and payroll records confirm the amount of pay missed during recovery.
Reduced earning capacity: Vocational assessments compare prior work duties with current limitations to calculate long-term loss.
Home or vehicle modifications: Contractor estimates verify accessibility expenses tied to permanent injury.
Disfigurement and pain: Medical evaluations describe permanent scarring or nerve damage that continues after treatment ends.

When all records are complete, Freeman Law Firm, Inc. compares the insurer’s offer to the total of costs already accrued and anticipated future costs. If the offer does not cover that amount, the firm pursues the difference through negotiation or by filing suit.

What If I’m Partially at Fault?

Washington follows a pure comparative fault rule. That means an injured person can still recover compensation even when they share some responsibility for what happened. The amount recovered is reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to the injured person.

For example, if the evidence shows a burn victim was ten percent responsible for the incident, their compensation is reduced by that same percentage. Freeman Law Firm, Inc. evaluates the facts carefully to minimize any unfair fault assignment and presents a clear record of how the other party’s conduct caused the injury.

Washington Deadlines and Procedures

Washington law limits the amount of time a person has to file a burn injury lawsuit. The general deadline is three years from the date of the injury, and once that period passes, the court will not accept the case, even if the evidence is strong.

Claims that involve government entities are subject to separate rules. Burn injury victims A written notice has to be filed with the agency, and the agency has 60 days to review and respond to the allegations before the lawsuit can begin. During that period, the agency’s counsel can request records or make a settlement offer, but if the matter remains unresolved after the 60 days, the burn victim is free to file a lawsuit.

Freeman Law Firm, Inc. tracks every filing deadline from the start of representation. Attorneys file required notices, preserve evidence while it is still available, and prepare pleadings before the statute expires so no right to recovery is lost.

What to Expect as Your Case Moves Forward

Your case moves in clear stages from first call to resolution.

Consultation and plan: Your attorney reviews what happened and sets an evidence plan with immediate next steps.
Records and experts: The team collects medical records and schedules expert reviews tied to cause and future care.
Claim filing or notice of liability: The firm notifies the insurer or responsible party and opens the claim.
Negotiation or mediation: Your attorney presents the documented losses and seeks a settlement supported by the record.
Lawsuit and discovery: If the insurer or responsible party refuses the settlement, the firm files suit and uses subpoenas, depositions, and document requests to obtain evidence.
Trial preparation and outcome: Your attorney prepares your case for court, and resolution comes through a settlement or a verdict.

Freeman Law Firm, Inc. keeps you informed at each stage and explains decisions in plain language. You receive updates on deadlines, offers, and next steps so nothing moves forward without your say-so.

Let Our Burn Injury Lawyers Fight for You

Freeman Law Firm, Inc. builds every burn injury case through focused investigation and expert support. Our firm collaborates with medical professionals to document care needs and with financial analysts to measure the effect on income and long-term stability. A strong record gives our attorneys leverage to demand fair payment during negotiations and a strong position if the case goes to trial.

Call (253) 383-4500 or reach out online to speak with a Tacoma burn injury attorney today.